Page:The Mastering of Mexico.djvu/222

186 knew Grado would not go on such an expedition unless dragged there by the hair of his head. Cortes particularly desired him to watch most zealously over Interests of the settlers at Vera Cruz, and not allow any ill-treatment of the Indians. But heeding in no way this excellent advice, Grado troubled himself little about completing the fortress, and spent all his time in feasting and gambling. Cortes, therefore, sent Gonzalo de Sandoval, who had been chief constable since the death of Escalante, to despatch Grado to Mexico under a guard of Indians; and to forward also the two blacksmiths of the town with all their bellows, tools and much Iron from the ships we had destroyed—such as two heavy iron chains, and also sails, pitch, and a mariner's compass, in short everything needed to build two sloops with which we might sail the lake of Mexico.

When the material for the sloops had come, Cortes at once told Montezuma that he wished to build two small pleasure yachts, and asked leave to send carpenters to cut oak timber growing about sixteen miles away. Many Indian carpenters helped, and soon the boats were done and their masts and rigging set, even to an awning to keep off the heat of the sun. Both turned out to be uncommonly fast sailers, for Martin Lopez, our carpenter who modeled them, was a master in his craft as well as a good soldier.